With the Euro 2016 group stages now done and dusted, Fantasy managers are able to ring the changes ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s deadline.
In our latest article on the official Uefa game, we turn our attentions to the knockout stages, assessing the draw and pinpointing some relatively budget-friendly options and “enablers” to consider as we re-assemble our 15-man squads.
Round of 16
Match 1: Switzerland v Poland
Match 2: Wales v Northern Ireland
Match 3: Croatia v Portugal
Match 4: France v Republic of Ireland
Match 5: Germany v Slovakia
Match 6: Hungary v Belgium
Match 7: Italy v Spain
Match 8: England v Iceland
Quarter-finals
QF1: Switzerland or Poland v Croatia or Portugal
QF2: Wales or Northern Ireland v Hungary or Belgium
QF3: Germany or Slovakia v Italy or Spain
QF4: France or Republic of Ireland v England or Iceland
Semi-finals
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
Belgium are regarded as the standout candidates in the first half of the draw.
According to the odds, their worst-case scenario prior to the final would be clashes against Wales and Croatia after this weekend’s showdown with Hungary – a run of opponents that could persuade many to ponder the Red Devils’ chief protagonists.
Clearly, those who expect Marc Wilmots’ side to progress will already have earmarked chief creator Kevin de Bruyne (10.0), Eden Hazard (9.5) and lone frontman Romelu Lukaku (9.0) for their watchlists.
For Wales, Gareth Bale (10.5) and Aaron Ramsey (7.6) have been the main men so far and sit on 18 points apiece. If Chris Coleman’s side are to go further, that duo will clearly have a part to play.
Croatia will be equally reliant on Ivan Perisic (7.7) and Ivan Rakitic (7.5), whilst Darijo Srna (6.0) offers creativity from full-back. Cristiano Ronaldo (12.0), meanwhile, has produced an incredible 30 attempts over the group stages and, as evidenced by the display against Hungary, will be pivotal to Portugal’s prospects.
The second half of the draw is regarded as the toughest, with three of the four tournament favourites – Germany, Spain and France – all jostling for a place in the final along with the likes of Italy.
Favourites France will be looking to Dimitri Payet (8.1) to help break down the Republic of Ireland on Sunday – with 77% ownership, the West Ham midfielder is far and away the most popular player in the Uefa game. Like Payet, Olivier Giroud (8.5) seems set to return to the XI after being benched last time out, whilst Antoine Greizmann (10.0) has the ownership (24%) to hurt those who overlook him.
Toni Kroos (7.0), Mesut Ozil (8.5) and Thomas Muller (10.5) are Germany’s three top-scoring attackers as the World Champions brace themselves for a clash with Slovakia, who will be relying on Marek Hamsik (7.5) to help cause an upset.
Defending champions Spain clearly have a major task on their hands if they are to prevail again, though. Up against Italy next, they could then face Germany and France on their way to the final on Sunday July 10.
That potentially perilous run of opponents is certainly worth bearing in mind when planning ahead if you are considering the likes of Gerard Pique (6.6), Andres Iniesta (8.0), Alvaro Morata (8.5) and Nolito (6.0). For those who have already played their wildcard over the group stages, in particular, loading up on Vicente del Bosque’s side carries a degree of risk in light of that possible schedule.
England look favourites to overcome Iceland but, after those six alterations against Slovakia, their starting line-ups look a potential cause for concern. Indeed, Roy Hodgson’s tinkering means that only two of their attackers have an ownership more than 5%, with Dele Alli (6.5) the most popular player in the final third.
Having listed the obvious options above, then, we now take a look at a mixture of differentials, punts and/or cost-efficient players who could pique your interest before the deadline arrives.
Defenders
Thomas Meunier– a 2-0 loss to Italy in the group opener has proved beneficial to the Belgium defender. Since replacing Laurent Ciman at right-back for the second match against Republic of Ireland, Meunier has helped the Red Devils to successive wins and clean sheets and also chipped in with an assist. Priced at a mere 4.5, he’s earned more points (14) than any defensive team-mate, yet sits in just 10% of sides so far.
Artur Jedrzejczyk – given that Poland are one of only two teams yet to concede, it’s fair to say their left-back has offered exceptional value so far. Along with team-mate Michael Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk has jumped from 4.5 to 4.6 as a result of his side’s resilience yet, having produced more crosses and key passes than fellow full-back Lukasz Piszczek, he sits in only 7% of sides ahead of the clash against Switzerland.
Eric Dier – classified as a defender yet stationed in the centre of the park, the Spurs man is one of only four outfield players to start all three matches for England. Handed a share of dead-ball duties, Dier’s free-kick prowess has already come to the fore against Russia and with more attempts on goal than any Three Lions player, his 5.1 cost looks very budget-friendly.
Emmanuel Giaccherini – picked up 18 points in the first two rounds of fixtures before being rested for Italy’s clash with Ireland as Antonio Conte rang the changes ahead of Monday’s encounter with Spain. Like Dier, Giaccherini benefits from an out of position berth in the centre of the park and also sets you back just 5.1 – one to consider, then, if you reckon The Azzurri will bounce back from their loss to Martin O’Neill’s men and see off the defending champions.
Midfielders
Balazs Dzsudzsak – if Hungary are to get past Belgium and find a way into the last eight, their talismanic winger will be vital. Priced at just 6.6, Dzsudzsak’s brace against Portugal in the final group match underlined the threat that has harvested nine efforts on goal – more than any team-mate to date. Dzsudzsak’s tally of five shots on target is joint-top with Aaron Ramsey in the centre of the park, yet he’s currently owned by only 4% of Uefa managers ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
Jakub Blaszczykowski – surprisingly listed amongst the subs for the final group match against Ukraine, the Dortmund right winger emerged from the bench to bag the only goal of a 1-0 win. Coming in at 7.5 in the Uefa game, Blaszczykowski has now played a part in both Poland’s strikes (one goal, one assist) and currently sits in 7% of squads. He’ll surely return to the first XI against Switzerland and will be looking to exploit the gaps left in Switzerland’s defence by Ricardo Rodriguez’ forays forward.
Vladimir Weiss – neck and neck with Marek Hamsik (7.5) with a goal and assist apiece so far, the Slovakia wide man is clearly no more than a punt given that he’s up against Germany next. At just 6.5, though, Weiss has created more chances than any team-mate and produced just one less shot inside the box that the pricier Hamsik. Owned by 1% of managers, he looks a differential option for those still holding wildcards for the following round.
Forwards
Arkadiusz Milik – whilst Robert Lewandowski (11.5) has flattered to deceive over the group stages, his strike partner has emerged as Poland’s chief goal threat. Milik has produced more than twice the number of both shots and efforts inside the box than any of Adam Nawalka’s players and, at a cost of 7.5, looks the in-form option for those banking on a win against Switzerland.
Mario Gomez – afforded a first start of Euro 2016 against Northern Ireland last time out, the Germany frontman grabbed the only goal of the match and registered four attempts on target. Should Joachim Lowe decide to retain that same starting line-up, Gomez’ price of 8.0 could be worth a flutter as the World Champions’ lone frontman for the knockouts.
Nani – overshadowed by the exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal frontman has, nonetheless, matched his team-mate for goals by netting twice over the first three fixtures. Certainly, a clash against Croatia is hardly straightforward but at a cost of just 7.5 to Ronaldo’s 12.0, Nani looks the value route into Fernando Santos’ attack. Encouragingly, he’s produced 12 efforts inside the box so far – that’s more than any player in the tournament.
Jamie Vardy – after emerging from the bench to notch the equaliser against Wales, the England frontman was handed his first start of the tournament in the final group clash with Slovakia. Despite featuring for just 144 minutes, Vardy (7.0) is second-top when it comes to efforts inside the box for the Three Lions ahead of a clash with an Iceland side that ranked joint-bottom for minutes per shot conceded in the group stages. A role on the left flank could dent his potential but Vardy’s pace on the counter could well overcome that and maintain his goal threat should England progress.
Nikola Kalinić – the former Blackburn Rovers striker represents a real gamble given that, if fit, Mario Mandzukic will likely stroll back into the Croatian starting XI against Portugal. But Kalinic took his opportunity in the win over holders Spain, providing goal and assist returns in an impressive display that will surely give coach Ante Cacic food for thought. Kalinić has so far earned a 9% ownership and could yet emerge as a key figure in Croatia’s bid to storm the top half of the draw, for the paltry price of just 6.5.
